PGMA vows good roads for Panay island destinations
Roxas City -- The road networks in the island of Panay will be developed as a component of the mega-region blueprint unveiled by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her first interactive and high-tech State of the Nation Address last July 24.
The government has identified four mega-regions that are to be turned into investment and development areas, namely North Luzon, Metro Luzon, Central Philippines and Mindanao.
"Central Philippines has the competitive edge in tourism in its natural wonders and the extraordinary hospitality of its people. The area sweeps across Palawan and Romblon, the Visayas and Bicol, plus the northern Mindanao islands of Camiguin, Siargao and Dapitan," said President Arroyo.
The new development planning strategy of Pres. Arroyo administration describes a strong partnership of the national government with the Local Government Units (LGUs) in a bid to spur economic growth in the countryside and eventually lead the Philippines to achieving First World status in the next two decades.
A joint Cabinet -- Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting with the President was held last July 7 at the Malacañang sa Sugbu in Cebu for a consultative meeting on the creation of a mega region for Central Philippines. The conference was attended by Cabinet secretaries, RDC chairpersons and its executive committee members, and governors of the participating regions.
The island of Panay’s growing tourism industry which generates several billions of pesos every year will benefit from the proposal.
"Topbilled by Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan, it attracts more than half of the foreign tourists to the Philippines. It is also the center of geothermal power in the country, which we continue to develop. The priority here is tourism investments. Coming soon for superstar Boracay are an instrument landing system for the Kalibo airport and a P3 billion private investment in a San Jose, Romblon airport, plus good roads to spillover destinations all over Panay," she added.
The tourism potentials of the island-province of Guimaras will also be harnessed especially with a new RORO port in its Sibunag town and the construction of an international airport in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
The government will be investing P100 billion annually in the next five years, to be spread out evenly to the development of the four mega-regions.
(PIA)